Use of Equivalent-luminance Yellow Light-emitting Diodes in Public Housing Estates and Spaces

Dr Tan Wu Meng asked the Minister for National Development whether the Ministry will study the use of equivalent-luminance yellow light-emitting diodes (LED) in lieu of conventional white LED light bulbs in public housing estates and shared common spaces in light of the recommendations of the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health and American Medical Association regarding reducing exposure to blue light in night-time illumination.

Today, HDB decides on the light fittings at common areas for new HDB developments, while Town Councils decide for existing HDB developments they maintain and manage. Both HDB and Town Councils adopt the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards when procuring light fittings, such as LED lighting. The globally-recognised IEC standards spell out technical and safety requirements, including how the colour and quality of light affect humans and other organisms. All LED lightings used in HDB blocks are required to comply with these technical standards.

Recent reports by the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health and American Medical Association highlighted the risks of exposure to "white or blue" LED light, to the extent that such exposure is of high-intensity and over a long duration. The reports do not rule out the use of such LED light in street lighting or in public spaces like our HDB common areas. Nevertheless, HDB is working with SPRING to review these recent reports in relation to the IEC standards.